COTABATO CITY (12 November 2014) — More than 13,000 children from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will simultaneously fly their kites from their assigned areas on November 25 to amplify their stand against violence and armed conflict.

The Department of Education (DepED)-ARMM, in partnership with the Coordinating and Development Office of the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (CDO-BYA), organized the kite flying activity to help advocate children’s rights and as part of the 25th founding anniversary of the ARMM.

The activity is also being supported by the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN), Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist, and the Coalition of Organization for Reform and Empowerment (CORE-ARMM).

Leah Tarhata Mehila, YMPN coordinator and secretariat, said the “Kites for Peace” in the ARMM is a collaborative activity to convey the message of peace, especially among the most vulnerable sector in conflict areas, the children.

“We also wish to set up a new record as to the most number of children who will fly kites simultaneously and surpass the Guiness World Record holder, Gaza, Palestine, with 13,000 kids in 2011,” she said.

Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman will lead the kite flying at the ARMM compound in Cotabato City, a major venue for the event, which is also the kick-off day for the Mindanao Week of Peace, a part of the ARMM’s silver jubilee celebration.

Apart from the open spaces along school premises, the activity will be simultaneously held all over the ARMM, to include the Mindanao State University oval in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; DepED oval in Tawi-tawi; Capitol grounds in Sulu; Lamitan National High School ground in Basilan; and MSU-Dalican in Maguindanao .

A memorandum has been issued by the DepED-ARMM to ensure mass participation of the 2,000 public elementary schools within the autonomous region.
Pupils from grade 3 to 6 are enjoined to take part in the activity with at least 10 kites for each section.

ARMM line agencies, local government officials, peace stakeholders, civil society organizations, youth groups, and representatives from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have expressed their support and participation in the event. (Bureau of Public Information)

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